Maria Somers Chapman

Ms. Chapman is a shareholder in the Tampa office of Appleton Reiss. Prior to joining Appleton Reiss, Ms. Chapman was a lawyer with a large state-wide law firm in Florida.

Ms. Chapman represents community associations and other common interest entities managing real property in Florida. Ms. Chapman advises community boards and managers about all aspects of community association law, including covenant enforcement, covenant amendments, contracts, collections and foreclosures. She also counsels associations about the statutory and documentary guidelines for the daily administration of their communities.

In addition to representing community association clientele with routine legal problems, Ms. Chapman zealously represents clients in property damage claims, including insurance claims, sinkhole litigation, premises liability claims and property damage claims. With significant insurance industry experience, Ms. Chapman is exceptionally capable of protecting the interests of property owners, including community associations, with claims against their own insurance companies and others.

EDUCATION
University of Florida, J.D., 1999
Certified Legal Intern, Office of the State Attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Teaching Assistant, Legal Research & Writing and Appellate Advocacy
Elected Honor Committee Class Representative
University of Florida, B.S. with honors, 1996
Member, Golden Key National Honor Society
Member, Concert Band

BAR ADMISSIONS
The Florida Bar, Admitted 2000
The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
The Florida Bar Condominium and Planned Development Law Committee
Hillsborough County Bar Association
Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers (“HAWL”)
Junior League of St. Petersburg, 2003 – 2011
Communications Vice President, Junior League of St. Petersburg, 2008
2009 Junior League of Tampa, 2011 – Present (Sustainer)